Another question - cables too short for new stem!

[thistler]

I want to change the old quill stem on my early 1990s Galaxy as it's too low for me to ride comfortably. I have a replacement stem with a better angle. I have loosened the middle bolt on the stem and it will turn from side to side, but won't actually come up and out at all. I've watched a lot of "removing a quill stem" videos and it seems on all but the completely seized ones, the stem slides out fairly easily.

What am I missing or can someone give me any advice? My little afternoon job has now lasted two going on three days and I am no further forward. I don't have the money to pay someone else to fix it so am hoping there is something I can do to sort this out.

It looks just like the one in the photo.



Thank you for any help and advice!

 

[tyred]

If you haven't already, when you unscrew the binder bolt, hit it a tap with a hammer to shift the wedge. It should drop down.

Otherwise, turn the bike upside down and fill the steerer with diesel and let it soak for a few days and try again.

 

[MichaelW2]

The wedge block may be catching on something. Tighten the bolt to take up slack so the bl k doesnt rattle around.
It may be an internal wedge with split tube, in which case I have no idea.

 

[thistler]

You guys are lifesavers!!!! I tapped it with a hammer, it dropped down, and the stem then slid out easily. Thank you so much, you have made my day!

 

[Blue Hills]

You guys are lifesavers!!!! I tapped it with a hammer, it dropped down, and the stem then slid out easily. Thank you so much, you have made my day!

Deleted my post after seeing that you had indeed sorted it with the hammer.
Anyone else doing this I would use a hammer with a plastic/nylon head - old school ones were leather.

 

[fossyant]

Good stuff. Fast answers as usual.

 

[thistler]

Well here's something I should have seen coming. With the new, higher stem installed, the shifter and brake cables are all too short. I'm assuming this means they will need replacing? Please tell me this is something I can do on my own, I'd like to know how to do basic repairs anyway as I'd like to do some longer solo tours and don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere because of a lack of knowledge.

I have a bike stand, some basic bike tools, and some regular everyday tools.

 

[Gillstay]

Yes, most of them will need replacing but its a good chance to put god quality ones on it. Replacing the cables is the easy bit settling the gear selection afterwards is a bit harder, so just plan for that.

 

[classic33]

Why, if it's like the one in your earlier picture will your shifter cables need replacing?

Brake cables are easy enough replace.

 

[thistler]

Sorry, I didn't elaborate. The shifters were changed to the bar end kind before I got the bike.

 

[Punkawallah]

Are the brake cables still attached to the callipers? There may be enough slack to allow them to be loosened and re-tightened when you have them assembled. In any event, replacing them is not impossible, plenty of videos on t’YouTube (I can recommend ‘RJ the Bike Guy’). Your biggest problem will be trimming the excess cable when you finish, as it really needs specialist cable cutters.

 

[thistler]

Yes they are still attached. I will have a look to see how much extra there is, thank you! The gear shifters will still need new cables I'm assuming? I will have a look at RJ as well.

 

[thistler]

I'm feeling a bit in over my head at the moment. I really want to figure this out though because I have no other bike.

 

[Punkawallah]

You could need gear -and- brake cables. Good news is they are not a fortune. Wilkinson’s usually have them. Do you have a friendly, local bike shop?

 

[Cycleops]

When you’re installing/adjusting the cables make sure you turn the bars from lock to lock to ensure you have sufficient slack. Oooo shut that door.